third degree

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third degree

n.
The use of coercive and illegal methods by police to obtain a confession or information from a suspect.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

third degree

n
(Law) informal torture or bullying, esp used to extort confessions or information
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

third′ degree′


n.
intensive questioning and rough treatment in order to get a confession.
[1895–1900, Amer.]

third′-degree′



v.t.
to subject to the third degree.
[1925–30]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.third degree - interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confessionthird degree - interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confession
interrogatory, examination, interrogation - formal systematic questioning
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
výslech třetího stupně
tredjegradsforhør
verschärftes Verhör
rendőri kínvallatás
hrottaleg yfirheyrsla
tredjegradsforhør
výsluch tretieho stupňa
şiddet kullanarak sorguya çekmek
拷问疲劳讯问

third degree

n to give sb the third degree (fam) (interrogation) → fare il terzo grado a qn
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

third

(θəːd) noun
1. one of three equal parts.
2. (also adjective) the last of three (people, things etc); the next after the second.
adverb
in the third position. John came first in the race, and I came third.
ˈthirdly adverb
in the third place. Firstly, I haven't enough money; secondly, I'm too old; and thirdly it's raining.
ˌthird-ˈclass adjective, adverb
of or in the class next after or below the second.
third degree
a severe method of questioning people, sometimes using torture etc. The police gave him the third degree.
third party
a third person who is not directly involved in an action, contract etc. Was there a third party present when you and she agreed to the sale?
ˌthird-ˈrate adjective
of very bad quality. a third-rate performance.
the Third World
the developing countries, those not part of or aligned with the two main powers. the needs of the Third World.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Mentioned in
References in classic literature
But for the third degree, which is simulation, and false profession; that I hold more culpable, and less politic; except it be in great and rare matters.
Those who are responsible for the third degree of the Order of the Yellow Crayon, and for your Majesty's ignorance concerning its existence, have trifled with the destiny of the greatest sovereign of modern times."
Sabin said firmly, "is responsible for the existence of the third degree. It is he who has connected the society with a system of corrupt police or desperate criminals in every great city.
Of course he knew nothing about the second or third degree members and our methods.
From the problem of the licence in cross-examination, their talk strayed to Roman and mediaeval torture, to the examining magistrate in France and the Third Degree in America.
Summary: New Delhi [India], Aug 28 (ANI): Announcing the setting up of a national police and forensic science university, Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asked the police machinery to ditch third degree methods and adopt scientific investigation.
Ben McCabe, suffered third degree burns at the age of four when a firework ended up in his jacket as he watched a display in 2011.
His Majesty presented Jalila Smadi with the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree, in recognition of her efforts in empowering women economically, socially, and politically, as well as her work in service of families in need, orphans, and people with disabilities.
According to fire brigade spokesperson, the fire was declared third degree and had been taken under control while the cooling process was underway.
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